National Signing Day is an important day for every college football team as they receive signed letters of intent from student-athletes to commit to playing football for them. It’s critical for programs and their coaches to appear all-in and focused on welcoming new players into the fold.
That’s what makes it so interesting that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh will be taking time out of this vitally important day to interview for an NFL head coaching job.
If any Michigan verbal commits were on the fence, knowing that their presumed head coach could be on his way out the door as soon as they sign on the dotted line could make them think twice at the last minute.
Harbaugh, who interviewed via Zoom with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, did enough to warrant a second interview on Wednesday. Clearly, he’s interested enough to meet with the team in person.
The #Vikings plan to fly in Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for an interview Wednesday in Minnesota, per sources.
The sides spoke Saturday to gauge Harbaugh’s interest in the head coaching job. Now, another big step towards Harbaugh potentially returning to the NFL.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 1, 2022
It would be a seismic shift for Michigan, coming off their best season with Harbaugh at the helm. There have been rumors for weeks that the former 49ers head coach might be interested in a return to the pros, but it’s pretty clear now that he’s seriously considering it.
Harbaugh coached San Francisco for four years, garnering a 44-19-1 record, three playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl berth. However, things ended dramatically and there might still be lingering concerns about whose fault that was and whether or not the Vikings can rely on Harbaugh to make the transition back to the pro game.
Meanwhile, the news that Harbaugh would be interviewing for an NFL gig on NSD certainly caused some reactions.
Harbaugh is all-in on becoming the Vikings head coach. Know how I know?
Wednesday is national signing day https://t.co/1LX8crIDr9
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) February 1, 2022
Jim Harbaugh is interviewing for an NFL job during NSD? Yikes. https://t.co/8F8CbiYEwI
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) February 1, 2022
I see nothing that could possibly derail this deal happening in a two-day window, nossir. When you need a team to come through in the waning seconds, YOU CALL MINNESOTA. https://t.co/sCijO447sd
— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) February 1, 2022
Just your casual college coach interviewing for a different job on the day recruits are signing their letters of intent. https://t.co/o7giomxA7T
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) February 1, 2022
We’ll see if it actually happens or if Harbaugh is going all-in to angle for a raise from UM. Either way, this is going to be a major talking point for him and Michigan however it plays out.
